Ketoconazole compared with griseofulvin in dermatophytoses: a randomized, double-blind trial

50 patients with drug-resistant and/or extensive superficial mycoses and positive cultures for dermatophytes, were randomly assigned to treatment either with 200 mg ketoconazole (26 patients, mean age 31 years) or 500 mg griseofulvin (24 patients, mean age 32.5 years) daily, administered in identical capsules. Patients were evaluated before and during treatment, clinically, by direct microscopy and cultures in double-blind conditions. The maximum duration of treatment was 6 weeks. 26/26 patients in the ketoconazole group and 22/24 patients in the griseofulvin group had negative cultures after 2.5 and 3 weeks (median values) respectively. Clinical symptoms responded rapidly and completely to both treatments. Therapeutic results were statistically significant in both groups. 1 patient in each group relapsed during the next 3 months after the end of the treatment. No unwanted effects were reported. Although both treatments were effective, therapeutic results were slightly better and appeared earlier with ketoconazole.